Michael Bisping has responded to Justin Gaethje’s ‘biased’ commentary claims during the UFC 286 main event.
After picking up another Fight of the Night bonus in his co-headliner with Rafael Fiziev at the O2 Arena in London, Gaethje observed his teammate Kamaru Usman attempt to seek redemption against welterweight champion Leon Edwards. The lightweight standout believed his training partner had done enough to win but slammed Bisping for his commentary during the fight. Gaethje labelled Bisping unprofessional and felt he shouldn’t have been near a microphone when his fellow Brit was competing.
Today, Bisping addressed the comments dictated towards him in a recent Youtube video and understands Gaethje’s frustration but strongly disagrees.
Michael Bisping Adresses Justin Gaethje’s UFC 286 Commentary Criticism
“Justin’s just being a loyal friend and a loyal teammate,” Bisping said. “When you’re watching a fight and you want your friend, your teammate to win, the good stuff that they do, in your mind, is emphasized. It is amplified. It is a bigger deal than what it is. And the stuff that the opponent does to your friend, you dismiss it. … That’s just the human mind. That’s how we work. When someone that we respect, when someone that’s our friend that we’re supporting, when they’re doing well, we amplify it in our mind. When anything bad happens, we play it down.
“So Justin firmly believes in his head that Kamaru won that fight. And because I said on the microphone afterwards, ‘Well, Leon clearly won that fight,’ which I thought that he did in a close fight – in a close fight. All the rounds were close. Leon didn’t smoke him in any of the rounds, but I thought generally Kamaru might’ve had one or two rounds. Maybe one, maybe two. I’d have to watch it again. But listen, Leon won the fight. But all rounds were close, and Justin is just being a good teammate.”
Despite the British connection, Bisping revealed he probably has a better personal relationship with Usman than Edwards and indicates he clearly called the fight the same way the judges witnessed it unfold.
“Listen, I’m not ripping on Kamaru,” Bisping said. “It was a very close fight, but Leon clearly won in my opinion, and the judges echoed that sentiment. And I think generally, universally everybody agrees. I haven’t seen any outcry of robbery or anything like that.”
Quotes via MMA Junkie
Many of Bisping’s colleagues, including Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier, leapt to his defence. Both praised the former middleweight champion’s professionalism in calling fights.
Daniel Cormier Backs his Colleague
Cormier brought up Gaethje’s comments on his own YouTube channel, and had the following to say about the situation:
“I didn’t think he was being biased,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “People always call me bias. The reality is everybody has a little bit of that in them, but I thought he did a good job. …
“I thought Mike did a fantastic job as he always does.”
Quotes via Daniel Cormier ‘s Youtube Channel
Although being criticised for his work behind the booth, Bisping remained respectful to Gaethje and expressed his enjoyment of watching him compete.
What do you think of the comments made by Justin Gaethje towards the commentary of Michael Bisping at UFC 286?
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